Education Policy

Image for Pupil safety: school employee misconduct: child abuse prevention.

Pupil safety: school employee misconduct: child abuse prevention.

Requires schools to implement comprehensive safety plans addressing child abuse and sex offenses by July 2026. Establishes a statewide database by 2027 to track school employee misconduct investigations. Mandates annual abuse prevention training for all school staff, volunteers, and students. Expands background check requirements and employment restrictions for school personnel with criminal records.

Pupil safety: school employee misconduct: child abuse prevention.

Image for Pupil safety: school employee misconduct: child abuse prevention.

Requires schools to implement comprehensive safety plans addressing child abuse and sex offenses by July 2026. Establishes a statewide database by 2027 to track school employee misconduct investigations. Mandates annual abuse prevention training for all school staff, volunteers, and students. Expands background check requirements and employment restrictions for school personnel with criminal records.

Image for Pupil instruction: career technical education, career education, and apprenticeships.

Pupil instruction: career technical education, career education, and apprenticeships.

Expands career technical education programs by requiring updated industry standards and apprenticeship opportunities. Mandates schools to offer work-based learning programs with credit for students starting in grade 10. Establishes a state framework for youth apprenticeships that combine classroom instruction with paid work experience. Creates an interagency workgroup to develop guidelines and standards for career education programs by 2026.

Pupil instruction: career technical education, career education, and apprenticeships.

Image for Pupil instruction: career technical education, career education, and apprenticeships.

Expands career technical education programs by requiring updated industry standards and apprenticeship opportunities. Mandates schools to offer work-based learning programs with credit for students starting in grade 10. Establishes a state framework for youth apprenticeships that combine classroom instruction with paid work experience. Creates an interagency workgroup to develop guidelines and standards for career education programs by 2026.

Image for Pupil instruction: Cambridge International Education programs.

Pupil instruction: Cambridge International Education programs.

Expands California school evaluations to include Cambridge International examinations as authorized assessment tools. Requires schools to include Cambridge International programs in educational counseling for grades 6-12. Authorizes school districts to provide financial assistance for Cambridge exam fees to students in need. Establishes Cambridge International Education as a recognized pathway for college preparation in California schools.

Pupil instruction: Cambridge International Education programs.

Image for Pupil instruction: Cambridge International Education programs.

Expands California school evaluations to include Cambridge International examinations as authorized assessment tools. Requires schools to include Cambridge International programs in educational counseling for grades 6-12. Authorizes school districts to provide financial assistance for Cambridge exam fees to students in need. Establishes Cambridge International Education as a recognized pathway for college preparation in California schools.

Image for Personal rights: liability: social media platforms.

Personal rights: liability: social media platforms.

Establishes new civil penalties for social media platforms that enable hate crimes or discrimination. Imposes fines of up to three months of platform revenue for intentional violations. Holds platforms legally responsible for harmful content delivered by their algorithms. Doubles penalties when violations affect minors on social media platforms.

Personal rights: liability: social media platforms.

Image for Personal rights: liability: social media platforms.

Establishes new civil penalties for social media platforms that enable hate crimes or discrimination. Imposes fines of up to three months of platform revenue for intentional violations. Holds platforms legally responsible for harmful content delivered by their algorithms. Doubles penalties when violations affect minors on social media platforms.

Image for American government and civics: curriculum guide: State Seal of Civic Engagement.

American government and civics: curriculum guide: State Seal of Civic Engagement.

Establishes a comprehensive one-year civics curriculum covering federal, state, and local government fundamentals. Requires the State Department of Education to partner with county education offices to develop the curriculum guide. Creates a pathway for students to earn the State Seal of Civic Engagement through course completion. Includes detailed instruction on voting rights, registration methods, and civic participation processes.

American government and civics: curriculum guide: State Seal of Civic Engagement.

Image for American government and civics: curriculum guide: State Seal of Civic Engagement.

Establishes a comprehensive one-year civics curriculum covering federal, state, and local government fundamentals. Requires the State Department of Education to partner with county education offices to develop the curriculum guide. Creates a pathway for students to earn the State Seal of Civic Engagement through course completion. Includes detailed instruction on voting rights, registration methods, and civic participation processes.

Image for Pupil attendance: excused absences: career technical education.

Pupil attendance: excused absences: career technical education.

Allows middle and high school students one excused absence per year for career technical education activities. Requires students to notify schools in advance of career technical education absences. Permits school administrators to approve additional career technical education absences beyond the annual limit. Mandates students complete all missed assignments and tests to receive full credit.

Pupil attendance: excused absences: career technical education.

Image for Pupil attendance: excused absences: career technical education.

Allows middle and high school students one excused absence per year for career technical education activities. Requires students to notify schools in advance of career technical education absences. Permits school administrators to approve additional career technical education absences beyond the annual limit. Mandates students complete all missed assignments and tests to receive full credit.

Image for School accountability: financial and performance audits.

School accountability: financial and performance audits.

Requires auditors of school districts to complete 24 hours of education in school-specific auditing by 2026. Mandates quality control reviews of charter school auditors every three years to ensure compliance. Establishes stricter peer review requirements for firms conducting school financial audits. Authorizes suspension of auditors who fail to meet professional standards for up to three years.

School accountability: financial and performance audits.

Image for School accountability: financial and performance audits.

Requires auditors of school districts to complete 24 hours of education in school-specific auditing by 2026. Mandates quality control reviews of charter school auditors every three years to ensure compliance. Establishes stricter peer review requirements for firms conducting school financial audits. Authorizes suspension of auditors who fail to meet professional standards for up to three years.

Image for Charter schools: performance standards for renewal.

Charter schools: performance standards for renewal.

Modifies charter school renewal standards to require evidence of academic improvement or strong college outcomes. Requires use of verified data for evaluating low-performing charter schools until new growth models are ready. Authorizes two-year renewals for struggling schools and five-year terms for higher-performing charters. Mandates state reimbursement to local agencies for costs of implementing these new requirements.

Charter schools: performance standards for renewal.

Image for Charter schools: performance standards for renewal.

Modifies charter school renewal standards to require evidence of academic improvement or strong college outcomes. Requires use of verified data for evaluating low-performing charter schools until new growth models are ready. Authorizes two-year renewals for struggling schools and five-year terms for higher-performing charters. Mandates state reimbursement to local agencies for costs of implementing these new requirements.

Image for Ethnic studies: content standards, curriculum frameworks, instructional materials, and compliance monitoring.

Ethnic studies: content standards, curriculum frameworks, instructional materials, and compliance monitoring.

Requires California high schools to adopt new ethnic studies standards and curriculum by January 2028. Mandates that ethnic studies courses be free from bias and appropriate for students of all backgrounds. Establishes an expert advisory committee to guide development of ethnic studies content and materials. Requires schools to submit their ethnic studies curricula for state review by June 2026.

Ethnic studies: content standards, curriculum frameworks, instructional materials, and compliance monitoring.

Image for Ethnic studies: content standards, curriculum frameworks, instructional materials, and compliance monitoring.

Requires California high schools to adopt new ethnic studies standards and curriculum by January 2028. Mandates that ethnic studies courses be free from bias and appropriate for students of all backgrounds. Establishes an expert advisory committee to guide development of ethnic studies content and materials. Requires schools to submit their ethnic studies curricula for state review by June 2026.

Image for School finance: administrative employee-to-teacher ratio: Paradise Unified School District.

School finance: administrative employee-to-teacher ratio: Paradise Unified School District.

Extends Paradise Unified School District's exemption from administrative staffing penalties through 2027. Requires Paradise Unified to submit a detailed staffing ratio report by September 2026. Provides immediate relief to help the district recover from the Camp Fire's impact.

School finance: administrative employee-to-teacher ratio: Paradise Unified School District.

Image for School finance: administrative employee-to-teacher ratio: Paradise Unified School District.

Extends Paradise Unified School District's exemption from administrative staffing penalties through 2027. Requires Paradise Unified to submit a detailed staffing ratio report by September 2026. Provides immediate relief to help the district recover from the Camp Fire's impact.

Image for Landlord-tenant: internet service provider subscriptions.

Landlord-tenant: internet service provider subscriptions.

Prohibits landlords from requiring tenants to subscribe to specific internet service providers. Allows tenants to deduct forced internet subscription costs from their monthly rent. Expands tenant rights to ensure freedom of choice in selecting internet providers.

Landlord-tenant: internet service provider subscriptions.

Image for Landlord-tenant: internet service provider subscriptions.

Prohibits landlords from requiring tenants to subscribe to specific internet service providers. Allows tenants to deduct forced internet subscription costs from their monthly rent. Expands tenant rights to ensure freedom of choice in selecting internet providers.

Image for Special education: pupil transfers: residency requirements: records.

Special education: pupil transfers: residency requirements: records.

Requires schools to process special education plans within 30 days for transfer students. Mandates schools to accept unofficial records from military families during student transfers. Expands residency rights for military families with special education students. Requires electronic enrollment systems for military families transferring to California schools.

Special education: pupil transfers: residency requirements: records.

Image for Special education: pupil transfers: residency requirements: records.

Requires schools to process special education plans within 30 days for transfer students. Mandates schools to accept unofficial records from military families during student transfers. Expands residency rights for military families with special education students. Requires electronic enrollment systems for military families transferring to California schools.

Image for Pupil records: parental access.

Pupil records: parental access.

Expands parental access rights to include both official and unofficial school records of their children. Maintains existing protections that prevent access when prohibited by court orders. Preserves parents' rights to question and receive responses about inaccurate information in records.

Pupil records: parental access.

Image for Pupil records: parental access.

Expands parental access rights to include both official and unofficial school records of their children. Maintains existing protections that prevent access when prohibited by court orders. Preserves parents' rights to question and receive responses about inaccurate information in records.

Image for Education finance: transitional kindergarten: funding for basic aid school districts and necessary small schools.

Education finance: transitional kindergarten: funding for basic aid school districts and necessary small schools.

Undeveloped "intent bill" that aims to fund transitional kindergarten programs in basic aid districts and small schools. Proposes funding mechanisms to prevent budget cuts in other educational programs.

Education finance: transitional kindergarten: funding for basic aid school districts and necessary small schools.

Image for Education finance: transitional kindergarten: funding for basic aid school districts and necessary small schools.

Undeveloped "intent bill" that aims to fund transitional kindergarten programs in basic aid districts and small schools. Proposes funding mechanisms to prevent budget cuts in other educational programs.

Image for California School Finance Authority: Educational Workforce Housing Revolving Loan Fund.

California School Finance Authority: Educational Workforce Housing Revolving Loan Fund.

Establishes a zero-interest loan program to help schools develop workforce housing for educators. Provides loans ranging from $150,000 to $200,000 based on school district size. Requires loan repayment over 5 years through automatic deductions from school funding. Creates a backup security fund to protect against loan defaults.

California School Finance Authority: Educational Workforce Housing Revolving Loan Fund.

Image for California School Finance Authority: Educational Workforce Housing Revolving Loan Fund.

Establishes a zero-interest loan program to help schools develop workforce housing for educators. Provides loans ranging from $150,000 to $200,000 based on school district size. Requires loan repayment over 5 years through automatic deductions from school funding. Creates a backup security fund to protect against loan defaults.

Image for Pupil rights: school graduation ceremonies and related events: adornments.

Pupil rights: school graduation ceremonies and related events: adornments.

Expands student rights to wear cultural and religious adornments at graduation and related school events. Prohibits schools from requiring pre-approval for wearing cultural or religious adornments. Allows students and families to determine what qualifies as traditional regalia or cultural objects. Exempts students from wearing graduation caps when incompatible with their cultural adornments.

Pupil rights: school graduation ceremonies and related events: adornments.

Image for Pupil rights: school graduation ceremonies and related events: adornments.

Expands student rights to wear cultural and religious adornments at graduation and related school events. Prohibits schools from requiring pre-approval for wearing cultural or religious adornments. Allows students and families to determine what qualifies as traditional regalia or cultural objects. Exempts students from wearing graduation caps when incompatible with their cultural adornments.

Image for English learners: reclassification: English language proficiency assessment.

English learners: reclassification: English language proficiency assessment.

Establishes new criteria for reclassifying English learner students as English proficient starting July 2026. Requires English learners to achieve a score of 3H or higher on the state English proficiency test for reclassification. Maintains requirements for teacher evaluation, parent input, and basic skills assessment in reclassification decisions.

English learners: reclassification: English language proficiency assessment.

Image for English learners: reclassification: English language proficiency assessment.

Establishes new criteria for reclassifying English learner students as English proficient starting July 2026. Requires English learners to achieve a score of 3H or higher on the state English proficiency test for reclassification. Maintains requirements for teacher evaluation, parent input, and basic skills assessment in reclassification decisions.

Image for Average daily attendance: emergencies: immigration enforcement activity.

Average daily attendance: emergencies: immigration enforcement activity.

Protects school funding when immigration enforcement activities cause student attendance drops through 2029. Requires schools to offer independent study programs to maintain funding eligibility during attendance decreases. Exempts documentation about immigration-related attendance drops from public records disclosure. Mandates state verification of school compliance with independent study requirements starting 2026.

Average daily attendance: emergencies: immigration enforcement activity.

Image for Average daily attendance: emergencies: immigration enforcement activity.

Protects school funding when immigration enforcement activities cause student attendance drops through 2029. Requires schools to offer independent study programs to maintain funding eligibility during attendance decreases. Exempts documentation about immigration-related attendance drops from public records disclosure. Mandates state verification of school compliance with independent study requirements starting 2026.

Image for School accountability: school climate report.

School accountability: school climate report.

Requires schools serving grades 5-12 to create annual climate reports starting in the 2026-27 school year. Mandates schools to develop improvement plans when climate deficiencies are identified. Requires schools to present climate reports at public board meetings and post them online within 30 days.

School accountability: school climate report.

Image for School accountability: school climate report.

Requires schools serving grades 5-12 to create annual climate reports starting in the 2026-27 school year. Mandates schools to develop improvement plans when climate deficiencies are identified. Requires schools to present climate reports at public board meetings and post them online within 30 days.

Image for Teacher preparation programs: school districts and county offices of education: English learners.

Teacher preparation programs: school districts and county offices of education: English learners.

Authorizes school districts to offer teacher certification programs for English learner and bilingual education. Requires district-run teacher programs to meet the same standards as university-based programs. Expands pathways for teachers to earn English learner and bilingual teaching credentials.

Teacher preparation programs: school districts and county offices of education: English learners.

Image for Teacher preparation programs: school districts and county offices of education: English learners.

Authorizes school districts to offer teacher certification programs for English learner and bilingual education. Requires district-run teacher programs to meet the same standards as university-based programs. Expands pathways for teachers to earn English learner and bilingual teaching credentials.

Image for Local educational agencies: reserve funds.

Local educational agencies: reserve funds.

Establishes a system for schools to develop housing on their property through a new state notification process. Requires the state to create an online form by January 2027 for schools to declare interest in housing projects. Provides technical assistance to schools for housing development, including legal advice and funding guidance. Prioritizes support for schools in high-need areas or those facing housing and staffing shortages.

Local educational agencies: reserve funds.

Image for Local educational agencies: reserve funds.

Establishes a system for schools to develop housing on their property through a new state notification process. Requires the state to create an online form by January 2027 for schools to declare interest in housing projects. Provides technical assistance to schools for housing development, including legal advice and funding guidance. Prioritizes support for schools in high-need areas or those facing housing and staffing shortages.

Image for Pupil instruction: dual enrollment programs: regional occupational centers or programs: migrant education: migrant regions.

Pupil instruction: dual enrollment programs: regional occupational centers or programs: migrant education: migrant regions.

Expands dual enrollment programs by allowing regional occupational centers to establish middle college high schools. Authorizes up to $250,000 in grants for starting middle college high schools and $100,000 for dual enrollment partnerships. Redefines migrant education regions to include more types of educational agencies and partnerships. Requires detailed annual reporting on dual enrollment programs including student demographics and course completion rates.

Pupil instruction: dual enrollment programs: regional occupational centers or programs: migrant education: migrant regions.

Image for Pupil instruction: dual enrollment programs: regional occupational centers or programs: migrant education: migrant regions.

Expands dual enrollment programs by allowing regional occupational centers to establish middle college high schools. Authorizes up to $250,000 in grants for starting middle college high schools and $100,000 for dual enrollment partnerships. Redefines migrant education regions to include more types of educational agencies and partnerships. Requires detailed annual reporting on dual enrollment programs including student demographics and course completion rates.

Image for Classified employees: school districts and community college districts: contracting out: training requirements.

Classified employees: school districts and community college districts: contracting out: training requirements.

Requires school districts to pay classified employees their regular rate for all mandatory training time. Mandates in-person training for topics like sexual harassment and child abuse reporting. Ensures contracted workers receive equivalent health and retirement benefits as direct employees. Requires real-time question-and-answer sessions during all employee training programs.

Classified employees: school districts and community college districts: contracting out: training requirements.

Image for Classified employees: school districts and community college districts: contracting out: training requirements.

Requires school districts to pay classified employees their regular rate for all mandatory training time. Mandates in-person training for topics like sexual harassment and child abuse reporting. Ensures contracted workers receive equivalent health and retirement benefits as direct employees. Requires real-time question-and-answer sessions during all employee training programs.

Image for Student financial aid: Pay-It-Forward Financial Aid Program.

Student financial aid: Pay-It-Forward Financial Aid Program.

Establishes a Pay-It-Forward program allowing UC and CSU students to attend college without paying upfront costs. Requires graduates to repay a percentage of their income instead of taking traditional student loans. Creates a dedicated fund from graduate repayments to support future students' education costs. Mandates UC and CSU campuses to enroll at least 10,000 students in the program by 2030.

Student financial aid: Pay-It-Forward Financial Aid Program.

Image for Student financial aid: Pay-It-Forward Financial Aid Program.

Establishes a Pay-It-Forward program allowing UC and CSU students to attend college without paying upfront costs. Requires graduates to repay a percentage of their income instead of taking traditional student loans. Creates a dedicated fund from graduate repayments to support future students' education costs. Mandates UC and CSU campuses to enroll at least 10,000 students in the program by 2030.

Image for Noncertificated employees: applicants: previous employment: California School Information Services.

Noncertificated employees: applicants: previous employment: California School Information Services.

Establishes a statewide database to track misconduct investigations of non-teaching school staff by July 2027. Requires applicants for non-teaching school positions to disclose all previous education employment history. Mandates schools to report staff misconduct investigations within 10 days of starting or completing an inquiry. Requires schools to check the database for misconduct history before hiring non-teaching staff.

Noncertificated employees: applicants: previous employment: California School Information Services.

Image for Noncertificated employees: applicants: previous employment: California School Information Services.

Establishes a statewide database to track misconduct investigations of non-teaching school staff by July 2027. Requires applicants for non-teaching school positions to disclose all previous education employment history. Mandates schools to report staff misconduct investigations within 10 days of starting or completing an inquiry. Requires schools to check the database for misconduct history before hiring non-teaching staff.